Mira Murati, one of the leading figures in artificial intelligence, has launched her own AI startup and is assembling a top-tier team of engineers and researchers. Sources confirm she has already recruited talent from companies like OpenAI, Character AI, and Google DeepMind. Among them is Jonathan Lachman, a former leader of special projects at OpenAI.

The startup is in its early stages, with no official name or clear product direction yet. Murati is reportedly seeking over $100 million in funding to kickstart her ambitious project.

This marks a bold step for Murati, who left her role as CTO at OpenAI in September 2024 after briefly serving as interim CEO during the company’s turbulent period. Her departure reflects a broader trend in the AI industry, as other former OpenAI leaders, like Ilya Sutskever and the team behind Anthropic, also pursue independent ventures, raising billions in funding.